High Wycombe Bypass

HC Deb 10 August 1966 vol 733 cc327-8W

50. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Transport when the first eight miles of the High Wycombe bypass will be open to traffic; when work will start on the construction of the second part of the bypass, including the Loudwater viaduct; and when this work will be completed and the entire bypass opened.

Mr. Swingler

My right hon. Friend still cannot give a definite date, but work has progressed faster recently. Work on the second part began in June except for Loudwater viaduct which will start in September. The entire bypass is due to be opened by the summer of 1968.

Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Transport what effect the imposition of the Selective Employment Tax will have on the cost of construction of the High Wycombe by-pass road; what applications for authority to increase tenders already accepted have been agreed by her; and for what amounts these tenders are.

Mr. Swingler

The precise effect cannot be ascertained at this stage. The answer to the second part of the question is none, but an application for an increase of a tender under negotiation at budget date was accepted. The amended tender figure is £3,456,880.